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PLFMX vs. IMCG
Performance
Return for Risk
Drawdowns
Volatility
Dividends

PLFMX vs. IMCG

Last updated Jun 13, 2026

PLFMX (Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund) and IMCG (iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF) are both funds - PLFMX is a S&P 500 fund tracking the S&P 500 Index, while IMCG is a Mid Cap Growth Equities fund tracking the Morningstar US Mid Cap Broad Growth Index. Both are passively managed. Over the past 10 years, PLFMX returned 14.77%/yr vs 14.48%/yr for IMCG. Their correlation of 0.86 suggests significant overlap in exposure. PLFMX charges 0.72%/yr vs 0.06%/yr for IMCG.

Performance

PLFMX vs. IMCG - Performance Comparison

The chart below illustrates the hypothetical performance of a $10,000 investment in Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund (PLFMX) and iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF (IMCG). The values are adjusted to include any dividend payments, if applicable.

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Returns By Period

In the year-to-date period, PLFMX achieves a 8.29% return, which is significantly lower than IMCG's 18.63% return. Both investments have delivered pretty close results over the past 10 years, with PLFMX having a 14.77% annualized return and IMCG not far behind at 14.48%.

PLFMX

1D
1.77%
1M
-0.59%
YTD
8.29%
6M
8.63%
1Y
23.03%
3Y*
20.84%
5Y*
12.86%
10Y*
14.77%

IMCG

1D
0.83%
1M
4.95%
YTD
18.63%
6M
17.29%
1Y
21.82%
3Y*
17.50%
5Y*
7.95%
10Y*
14.48%
*Multi-year figures are annualized to reflect compound growth (CAGR)

PLFMX vs. IMCG - Yearly Performance Comparison

2026 (YTD)202520242023202220212020201920182017
PLFMX
Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund		8.29%17.10%26.06%25.27%-18.67%27.57%17.46%30.58%-5.14%20.96%
IMCG
iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF		18.63%6.55%18.14%20.73%-25.79%15.39%45.64%35.70%-3.68%25.57%

Correlation

The correlation between PLFMX and IMCG is 0.83, indicating a strong positive relationship between their price movements. Combining them offers limited diversification - they tend to fall together during downturns.

Correlation
Correlation (1Y)
Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

0.83

Correlation (3Y)
Calculated over the trailing 3-year period

0.86

Correlation (5Y)
Calculated over the trailing 5-year period

0.89

Correlation (10Y)
Calculated over the trailing 10-year period

0.86

Correlation (All Time)
Calculated using the full available price history since Jul 2, 2004

0.86

The correlation between PLFMX and IMCG has been stable across timeframes, ranging from 0.83 to 0.89 - a consistent structural relationship.

Compare stocks, funds, or ETFs

Search for stocks, ETFs, and funds for a quick comparison or use the comparison tool for more options.

Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund

iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF

Often compared with PLFMX:
PLFMX vs. TWCUXPLFMX vs. VIGRXPLFMX vs. VTIPLFMX vs. VFIAXPLFMX vs. SPYGPLFMX vs. PLSAXPLFMX vs. VOO
Often compared with IMCG:
IMCG vs. VOTIMCG vs. IWPIMCG vs. SCHMIMCG vs. MDYGIMCG vs. XMHQIMCG vs. VOIMCG vs. IJK

Return for Risk

PLFMX vs. IMCG — Risk / Return Rank

Compare risk-adjusted metric ranks to identify better-performing investments over the past 12 months.
PLFMX
PLFMX Risk / Return Rank: 6565
Overall Rank
PLFMX Sharpe Ratio Rank: 6464
Sharpe Ratio Rank
PLFMX Sortino Ratio Rank: 6060
Sortino Ratio Rank
PLFMX Omega Ratio Rank: 6161
Omega Ratio Rank
PLFMX Calmar Ratio Rank: 6565
Calmar Ratio Rank
PLFMX Martin Ratio Rank: 7777
Martin Ratio Rank
IMCG
IMCG Risk / Return Rank: 4646
Overall Rank
IMCG Sharpe Ratio Rank: 4343
Sharpe Ratio Rank
IMCG Sortino Ratio Rank: 4242
Sortino Ratio Rank
IMCG Omega Ratio Rank: 4141
Omega Ratio Rank
IMCG Calmar Ratio Rank: 4949
Calmar Ratio Rank
IMCG Martin Ratio Rank: 5454
Martin Ratio Rank
The rank (0–100) shows how this investment's returns compare to the risk taken. Higher = better. Based on the past 12 months of data, combining Sharpe, Sortino, and other metrics used by quantitative funds and institutional investors.

PLFMX vs. IMCG - Risk-Adjusted Trends Comparison

This table presents a comparison of risk-adjusted performance metrics for Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund (PLFMX) and iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF (IMCG). Risk-adjusted metrics are performance indicators that assess an investment's returns in relation to its risk, enabling a more accurate comparison of different investment options.

Values are calculated on a 1-year rolling basis and updated daily. Risk-adjusted metrics are more stable over longer periods — use the period switch above to explore them.

PLFMXIMCGDifference
Sharpe ratioReturn per unit of total volatility
1.91
1.33

+0.58

Sortino ratioReturn per unit of downside risk
2.59
1.90

+0.69

Omega ratioGain probability vs. loss probability

1.35

1.24

+0.11

Calmar ratioReturn relative to maximum drawdown

2.62

2.16

+0.47

Martin ratioReturn relative to average drawdown

11.86

8.22

+3.64

PLFMX vs. IMCG - Sharpe Ratio Comparison

The current PLFMX Sharpe Ratio is 1.91, which is higher than the IMCG Sharpe Ratio of 1.33. The chart below compares the historical Sharpe Ratios of PLFMX and IMCG, calculated using daily returns over the previous 12 months. A higher Sharpe Ratio indicates better risk-adjusted performance relative to the risk-free rate.

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Drawdowns

PLFMX vs. IMCG - Drawdown Comparison

The maximum PLFMX drawdown since its inception was -55.62%, smaller than the maximum IMCG drawdown of -58.96%. Use the drawdown chart below to compare losses from any high point for PLFMX and IMCG.

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Drawdown Indicators

PLFMXIMCGDifference

Max Drawdown

Largest peak-to-trough decline

-55.62%

-58.96%

+3.34%

Max Drawdown (1Y)

Largest decline over 1 year

-9.00%

-10.17%

+1.17%

Max Drawdown (3Y)

Largest decline over 3 years

-18.83%

-21.92%

+3.09%

Max Drawdown (5Y)

Largest decline over 5 years

-24.91%

-35.08%

+10.17%

Max Drawdown (10Y)

Largest decline over 10 years

-33.80%

-35.08%

+1.28%

Current Drawdown

Current decline from peak

-2.79%

-1.66%

-1.13%

Average Drawdown

Average peak-to-trough decline

-9.99%

-9.21%

-0.78%

Ulcer Index

Depth and duration of drawdowns from previous peaks

1.99%

2.66%

-0.67%

Volatility

PLFMX vs. IMCG - Volatility Comparison

The current volatility for Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund (PLFMX) is 4.44%, while iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF (IMCG) has a volatility of 7.07%. This indicates that PLFMX experiences smaller price fluctuations and is considered to be less risky than IMCG based on this measure. The chart below showcases a comparison of their rolling one-month volatility.

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Volatility by Period

PLFMXIMCGDifference

Volatility (1M)

Calculated over the trailing 1-month period

4.44%

7.07%

-2.63%

Volatility (6M)

Calculated over the trailing 6-month period

9.72%

13.73%

-4.01%

Volatility (1Y)

Calculated over the trailing 1-year period

12.37%

16.49%

-4.12%

Volatility (5Y)

Calculated over the trailing 5-year period, annualized

16.99%

20.31%

-3.32%

Volatility (10Y)

Calculated over the trailing 10-year period, annualized

17.52%

20.58%

-3.06%

PLFMX vs. IMCG - Expense Ratio Comparison

PLFMX has a 0.72% expense ratio, which is higher than IMCG's 0.06% expense ratio.

Dividends

PLFMX vs. IMCG - Dividend Comparison

PLFMX's dividend yield for the trailing twelve months is around 2.22%, more than IMCG's 0.66% yield.

PositionTTM20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015
IMCG
iShares Morningstar Mid-Cap Growth ETF		0.66%0.78%0.78%0.85%0.91%0.41%0.09%0.30%0.35%0.45%0.52%0.38%
PLFMX
Principal LargeCap S&P 500 Index Fund		2.22%2.41%3.77%3.62%2.28%13.02%7.02%3.28%6.80%6.44%2.66%2.07%

Frequently Asked Questions

PLFMX and IMCG have a correlation of 0.83, meaning they provide meaningful diversification benefit when combined. Depending on your allocation goals, holding both could reduce overall portfolio risk.

IMCG has higher volatility (7.07%) compared to PLFMX (4.44%). In terms of maximum drawdown, PLFMX dropped -55.62% vs IMCG's -58.96%.

PLFMX currently has the higher Sharpe Ratio (1.91 vs 1.33), meaning it's delivered slightly more return per unit of risk over the trailing 12 months. However, this ranking shifts over time - use the Risk/Return Score above for a more comprehensive view that combines Sharpe, Sortino, and other measures used by quantitative funds.

Portfolio Optimizer

Find the right allocation for PLFMX and IMCG

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